"Resistance to change is a socially constructed phenomenon that is generated and defined through interaction" (R. Van Dijk & R. Van Dick, 2009)
Resistance theory is an complex concept - and resistance by teachers is manifested in a variety of ways. In my Action Research, I propose to investigate in particular teacher resistance to change, and look at whether change protocols actually impact on teacher practice. To provide a background, it is beneficial to examine the questions around psychological resistance to change which have been the subject of many decades of research. Michael Diamond (1986) examines the dominant theory of organizational learning by Argyris & Shon (1974,1978) in an article which provides a good understanding of the main precepts of resistance theory. These include the following:
"Contradictions in what people say and what they in fact do, illustrate compulsive, repetitive, security-oriented, error-inducing and self-sealing human behaviour. These defensive and adaptive tendencies usually protect the status quo and, therefore, block learning" (p. 544)
"Failure of intervention strategies in organization development will most frequently occur whenever these contradictory human factors are ignored" (p. 544)
The research study of Bion (1959) revealed participants who needed to "transfer their responsibility...and who "expressed anxiety about momentary loss of security and self confidence". (p. 545).
Argyris and Schon's (1974, 1978) work argues that "security needs produce defensive actions that unwittingly distort reasoning and limit effectiveness" (p. 546), and that these individual defensive actions "protect the self from the unpleasant experience of anxiety".
"In the desire to maintain equilibrium and security, the person resists anxiety associated with change and learning necessary for growth and development", and the defensive actions protect the person from anxiety by "shutting out information and experience....that represent a threat to the self".
Diamond further argues the complications which occur when applying these tenets to "bureaucratic organizations", and that "hierarchial and impersonal (systems)...encourage defensive behaviour and self-protectiveness which uses self-system components of the personality for maintenance of security and avoidance of anxiety" (p. 548).
In the light of the many changes within the education system, and particularly in my own school context, it appears that teacher resistance is influencing pedagogical reform, and developing an understanding of the reasons behind this - and the potential to change it - is the domain of my project.
References: Van Dijk, Rebecca and Van Dick, Rolf "Navigating Organizational Change: Change Leaders, Employee Resistant and Work-based Identities" Journal of Change Management 9:2, 143-163, June 2009
Diamond, Michael A (1986) "Resistance to Change: A Psychoanalytic Critique of Argyris and Schon's contributions to Organization Theory and Intervention" Journal of Management Studies 23: 5, September 1986.
"Resistance to change is a socially constructed phenomenon that is generated and defined through interaction" (R. Van Dijk & R. Van Dick, 2009)
Resistance theory is an complex concept - and resistance by teachers is manifested in a variety of ways. In my Action Research, I propose to investigate in particular teacher resistance to change, and look at whether change protocols actually impact on teacher practice. To provide a background, it is beneficial to examine the questions around psychological resistance to change which have been the subject of many decades of research. Michael Diamond (1986) examines the dominant theory of organizational learning by Argyris & Shon (1974,1978) in an article which provides a good understanding of the main precepts of resistance theory. These include the following:
Diamond further argues the complications which occur when applying these tenets to "bureaucratic organizations", and that "hierarchial and impersonal (systems)...encourage defensive behaviour and self-protectiveness which uses self-system components of the personality for maintenance of security and avoidance of anxiety" (p. 548).
In the light of the many changes within the education system, and particularly in my own school context, it appears that teacher resistance is influencing pedagogical reform, and developing an understanding of the reasons behind this - and the potential to change it - is the domain of my project.
References:
Van Dijk, Rebecca and Van Dick, Rolf "Navigating Organizational Change: Change Leaders, Employee Resistant and Work-based Identities" Journal of Change Management 9:2, 143-163, June 2009
Diamond, Michael A (1986) "Resistance to Change: A Psychoanalytic Critique of Argyris and Schon's contributions to Organization Theory and Intervention" Journal of Management Studies 23: 5, September 1986.